Day 1
Arrive PHNOMPENH

Day 2
PHNOMPENH; highlights

Morning tour of the Royal Palace, situated on the site of the former citadel and built by King Norodom in 1966, the Palace still serves as the King and Queen's residential quarters. Also within the walls of the Palace is the Silver Pagoda, so called because of five thousand silver tiles that line its exquisite floor. You will also visit the National Museum, which houses the world’s leading collection of Khmer art and sculpture, and Wat Phnom the founding site of the city. All are within easy walking distance of each other and are a great introduction to this laid-back city.

Lunch is at Friends, a ‘kindness restaurant’ where ex-street children are trained in hospitality and restaurant skills, helping them to break away from life on the streets.

The afternoon is spent learning more about the terrible years, through visits to the infamous Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes and Cheung Ek, better known as the ‘Killing Fields’. It is an incredibly moving experience, but these are two visits you will be glad to have made. During your visit to Cambodia, you will barely meet a single person who didn’t lose a member of their family during these years, yet they are all willing to talk openly about it with you. They wish you to hear about it and see these places, to ensure that it never happens again.

Day 3
PHNOMPENH; cycling to Silk Island, Phnom Oudong

After breakfast, transfer to the ferry port and make the short crossing to the eastern side of Phnom Penh. Start your days cycling with a gentle ride along the banks of the Mekong River, enjoying views across the water to Phnom Penh. Continue along quiet roads passing villages, schools and pagodas, stopping to meet locals along the way. Board a boat and cross the Mekong River, disembarking and riding across the headland and over the iron bridge before arriving at Koh Dach, known as Silk Island.

The village is a typical rural Cambodian stilted village and throughout the morning you will see a variety of silk weaving techniques and observe the local weavers at work. Many of the silk products sold in Phnom Penh are weaved in Koh Dach thanks to the very high quality of the work.

Having enjoyed lunch at a small restaurant in the village, cross back over the Mekong to the mainland where you will meet your driver and continue to Phnom Oudong, the ancient Cambodian capital during the latter stages of the Khmer Empire and crowning site of the Kings. Phnom Oudong was bombed and desecrated by the Americans and then the Khmer Rouge, but still possesses a beauty that no war has been able to steal from it.

Return to the city in the late afternoon and the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Day 5
SIEMREAP; Angkor Temples with “tuk tuk”

Having met with your guide, you will be able to discuss in detail what you are looking to achieve from your time at the temples. Whilst some wish to explore as many temples as they can during their stay, others like to travel at a slower, more relaxed pace.

The temples in focus in a day:

Angkor Wat – certainly the most famous of all the Angkor temples and, some would argue the most impressive. The temple, built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II contains three storeys of libraries, galleries and towers surrounded by a thick retaining wall and an imposing moat. Many visitors aim to visit the temple at sunrise to capture one of the most iconic Angkor photos.

Ta Prohm - a temple left in much the same condition as when it was found - creating one of the most photogenic and atmospheric temples of the entire Angkor site. The tree roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers can be seen breaking through the walls and stone carvings. Any visit is truly an adventure.

The Bayon - built in the 13th century as the state temple of King Jayavarman VII, standing at the centre of his capital - Angkor Thom. The Bayon’s most distinctive feature is the multitude of huge faces carved into large towers which rise up to form the central peak.

Banteay Srei - one of the most unusual and widely recognisable temples of Angkor. Built largely of red sandstone, it is covered with elaborate and deeply carved decoration. All the buildings are miniature in scale and it is this, along with the beautiful carvings, that have made it such a popular temple.

Morning departure by car, driving for about an hour to the north-east of Siem Reap as far Phnom Kulen, one of Cambodia's most sacred mountains. Having driven to the summit, visit the unique riverbed carvings known as the River of 1000 Lingas and the nearby Preah Ang Thom, a huge stone Buddha carved into the top of a rock, before a refreshing dip in the holy waterfalls where locals often meet to eat and relax on the river banks. From the waterfalls, take a motorbike taxi to visit Lion Temple and Elephant Temple, located deep in the hill top jungle. Back on the motorbike, continue to Anlong Thom where you will take a break for a picnic lunch.

After lunch begin your two hour trek along the top of Phnom Kulen. Passing by the village of Thmor Chruogn and finally Ta Penh, there will be plenty of opportunity to meet villagers en route. Walk downhill from the Big Nevenea, built in 2001 before arriving at Svay Leu where you are likely to stumble upon a local market….Having met your driver continue to the massive jungle temple of Beng Mealea, the size and scale of Angkor Wat but utterly swallowed by the jungle. ……….Return to Siem Reap in late afternoon where the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Day 7
SIEMREAP, LAOS; Pakse - Wat Phou - Champasak

Your morning is at leisure until your transfer to Siem Reap Airport for your flight to Pakse, southern Laos. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and driven to the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phou, one of South-East Asia's most dramatically situated temple sites with superb views across the Mekong River. Designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2001, Wat Phou dates back to the 5th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Whilst much of the origins of Wat Phou are unclear, it is believed that the original temple was built by the Khmer Hindus who eventually made Angkor Wat their capital.

After some time exploring, transfer to Champasak a delightful Colonial riverside town with a relaxed vibe. Having checked in to your hotel, the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Day 8
CHAMPASAK; 4000 islands

After breakfast, cross over the Mekong River and drive south to Ban Hatsaikhone, where you’ll board a local boat for a tour of the 4000 Islands. Although some of the islands are technically just sand banks, there are still hundreds of scenic spots to enjoy.

By lunch time you’ll reach the picturesque island of Don Khone and the afternoon is spent exploring the island by bicycle, tracing the route of an old abandoned railway and admiring some of the old French Colonial buildings and the beautiful Liphi Waterfall.

Returning to your boat, head back to the mainland and the impressive Khone Phapheng waterfalls, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia, just a few miles from the Cambodian border, before returning to Champasak

Day 9
CHAMPASAK, BOLAVEN PLATEAU

After an early breakfast, journey east across the Bolaven Plateau, passing the many plantations typical of those found in the region. The area is also famous for its many waterfalls with the most beautiful of these being Tad Fan which you will visit. During high waters, the waterfall is spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into the deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation below.

On arrival at Paksong you will be met by a specialist local guide for a unique experience. Your first stop will be at a coffee plantation, and with your local guide hailing from a family of coffee growers you will get some great insight into the coffee process from bean to cup. There will be time for a coffee tasting session and lunch before continuing by jeep through the Bolaven Plateau. A stop will be made to visit a fascinating Souy ethnic minority village where western tourists are few and far between, and especially those arriving in an Army jeep!....Returning to the main road and travel to Sinouk Coffee Resort for overnight.

Day 10
BOLAVEN, TAD LO waterfalls, PAKSE, LUANG PRABANG

After a leisurely breakfast, depart the resort and explore a couple of interesting minority villages: Ban Pong, an Alak village that boasts a sacrificial altar; and Ban Kokphung, a Katu village where they keep coffins under their houses. Continue on to the region’s famous Tad Lo waterfalls where there will be time for a short rest before driving back across the plateau to Pakse in time for your flight to Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met by your guide for the transfer to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Day 11
LUANG PRABANG; Tak Bat, Walking Tour, Monastic School Visit

An option for early-risers is to rise before dawn to witness tak bat, or the giving of alms, to the lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from the residents of Luang Prabang. It’s an iconic sight and for many one of the highlights of their stay in Luang Prabang, and can be arranged on any early morning during your stay.

Your city circuit begins after breakfast at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history. The next section of the tour takes in some of the city’s temples, beginning with Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs, before continuing on to Wat Xieng Thong, perhaps the most photographed temple in Luang Prabang, and the unique Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape. Your last visit of the morning is the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which will give you further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos.

In the afternoon visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek before returning to town to visit a monk school. After some time chatting with the novice monks finish the day by climbing Mount Phousi, to enjoy the stunning views across Luang Prabang and the Mekong River as the sun sets.

Day 12
LUANG PRABANG; Living Lands Organic Farm

This morning drive out of Luang Prabang to the Living Lands Organic Farm where you will meet the local farming guide for an informative, but fun morning. During your time at the farm, you are invited to interact and experience each step of the rice harvest and gain an understanding of how the entire cultivation process works. It’s a very hands-on experience and you will experiment with the various tools used in the harvesting process. Before leaving you will have the opportunity to taste some traditional foods made from rice…….Return to Luang Prabang where the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Policies

Inclusions

•All admission fees at attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary

•Boat trip wherever it has

•All meals listed

•Government tax

Exclusions

•Visas

•International arrival & departure flight ticket and airport tax

•Regional flight: SiemReap – Pakse (on request)

•Domestic flight within Cambodia / Laos (on request)

•Peak-season/public holiday surcharge & compulsory meals to be advised at the time of booking

•Any meals not listed in the itinerary

•Drinks, other than water on activity days

•Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tips…)

•Travel insurance & other services not listed in “inclusive”

Remarks

•The itinerary is flexible, depending on arrival or departure flights of passengers

•Ground operator reserved the right to amend or adjust itinerary to match with real situation

•The confirmation is subject to the availability at the time of booking

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